Rep. Angie Craig elected top Dem on Agriculture Committee

• Scott, 79, has faced longstanding health challenges, which prompted Craig, 52, and Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), 72, to challenge him.

Driving the news: The House Democratic caucus elected Craig over Costa by 121 to 91, according to multiple lawmakers who were present.

• Scott dropped out of the race on Monday after the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee voted to recommend Craig for the role, according to sources familiar with the matter.
• Craig won 34 votes in steering to Costa's 22 and Scott's 5.

Zoom in: Craig said that part of her pitch to her colleagues centered on needing to "do a better job of winning the hearts and minds of rural communities."

• "What my message to Democrats has been is 'We can't lose the middle of the country and gain the presidency. We can't lose the middle of the country and earn the support of all voters'.," she told reporters after the vote.

Between the lines: Craig also said that as ranking member of the Agriculture Committee, she will "extend a hand to look for compromise."

• "But when their policies are not good for the American people when they're not good for Minnesotans, I call it out, and we have to be able to explain that to them," she added.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.